Put a Smile on that Face

Posted on 25 Sep 2013 @ 7:43pm by Alexander Iella & Verity Thorne

1,182 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2 - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD 02 - 2350

[ON]

Letting out a long, tired breath, Verity moved into the Mess Hall, heading straight for the coffee pot of strong brewed coffee. It had been a long couple of days. The Venture crew were starting to settle in terms of both injuries and upset, but they'd been through a lot. The chaplain had been keeping their evacuees company where he could, but for the moment he was in desperate need of a coffee to refuel and get set for another round. He filled the biggest mug he could find before turning to try and grab a seat to rest his throbbing feet for a moment.

"You look like you have enough coffee there to stay awake for weeks." Alex commented as he set out a bunch of pastries on the table beside the coffee bar. He had decided the best way to feed the large amount of people was to essentially just make a bunch of small items, sandwichs, pastries, etc. And set them up on a buffet style table. Easier to mass produce, and less chances of people bitching about wanting this or that.

"I think that's what I need," Verity gave a half smile, his gaze drifting down to the food on offer. He hadn't intended to stop for food, but when he saw the array of delicious looking goods, his stomach rumbled to remind him he hadn't eaten for ages. "Mind if I steal one?"

"Lord no." Alex said waving a hand at the table, "Take anything you want. It's all for the crew." Leaning over the table to adjust a few more things, Alex finished up and looked back over at the man, "Figured some good sugary stuff might make the masses feel better too."

"Good call," Verity chuckled, picking something up which promised almonds on it. He took a bite, moaning warmly before sighing. "Heaven sent," he said softly with a smile. "Sorry, I don't think we've met. I'm Verity Thorne, Chaplain."

"Alexander Iella. Though most people just call me Alex." Alex replied with a faint chuckle, "Good to know you like my almond croissant. I'm the ships new chef, came over with the Venture survivors."

Verity's gaze softened at the words and he sipped his coffee gently to let a respectful pause settle for a moment. "You're okay?" he asked softly. "Have you been seen by Sickbay?"

"Nah, I haven't been to sickbay yet." Alex replied as he picked up a donut from the tray for himself, "Nothing really wrong as far as I can gather, no broken bones, not concussion, etc. Though some mental stuff might pop up later, it wont be anything worse than what I've been threw before. Dieing is a hard thing to top." Alex said almost nonchalantly.

Verity's eyebrows lifted with surprise as he searched his eyes before smiling softly. "True, although, an experience is what it is. It doesn't have to be compared to something to be pretty horrible."

"I find the best way to deal with things is to take it in stride. If you need to be nonchalant about it, so be it, if you need to talk about it, that's fine. Personally, I feel like I need to be nonchalant about it, talk about it as if its an every day thing." Alex replied with a shrug and a smile, "Though admittedly, I need to stop bringing it up, It freaks some people out."

Verity just nodded, not wanting to push the man. He'd popped in for coffee, not an interrogation. Someone who brought things up tended to need to speak about them, even if they didn't realise it. But he wasn't a counsellor and they were still in the midst of the clearing smoke. "I hope you can be comfortable on Galileo, she's a good ship, and so are her crew."

"I'm sure I will be." Alex replied with a nod, "Though the crew seems to be a bit more.... depressed than usual with the current circumstances."

Verity had to nod in agreement, perching on a seat as he took a good chunk off the pastry, thinking as he ate. "It seems like you're doing your bit to help that though," he motioned to the food with a small smile. "It's amazing how much some good fuel can get people back into gear."

"Good food does tend to do that...." Alex said with a thoughtful look on his face. The crew was down, the loss of the Venture and most of her crew had had a significant effect on the Galileo and the remainder of the Ventures crew. "That's it... we have a BBQ. Lots of good food, company, remember the ones that were lost!" Alex exclaimed.

Verity smiled at the idea, nodding as he rested his mug on his knee. "And the ones we still have around us. People can forget too easily that even through loss, there are others around them, sometimes going through the same thing."

"Exactly, it will give people something that will make them realize how lucky they are, while they may have lost friends, they still have others and their own life to lock forward to; and give them people to get through it with." Alex finished with a smile. "The Question is... when do we have it? Obviously its way to late tonight."

"Maybe the day after tomorrow?" Verity suggested, sipping his coffee as he pondered it. "Enough time to have some rest and quiet before looking ahead?"

"Yeah, that sounds good." Alex replied with a nod, "I'd have to be on the holodeck, its the only place we could get a lot of the crew come in and have the space. Not to mention we could make it a nice big outside calming area."

"Maybe close to the sea. I don't know, the sea always seemed to calm me," he admitted with a soft smile. "I think that sounds like an excellent plan. Thank you."

Alex laughed, "Well then, I think I have a really good spot." Alex said with a smile, "You spread the word, I'll make the food, and make sure its all set up."

Verity nodded quickly, his smile widening at the prospect. "It will be nice to be able to deliver some good news for a change," he admitted softly.

"Yeah, it will be nice to receive some for some of the crew too." Alex replied. "Damn... I'm going to need to start replicating some food if we intend to feed even half of the people on board."

Verity nodded quickly, standing and stretching his back awkwardly. He'd crunch some painkillers for it at somepoint. "And I should get back to work too. Thank you though, for a pleasant interlude."

"Pleasure meeting you Verity." Alex said with a nod and a smile.

"I'll catch up with you again soon. I have a feeling you could be great for business," Verity laughed softly, flashing him a smile before heading out, absently still holding his cup.

[OFF]

PO2 Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Galileo

Alexander Iella
Head Chef
USS Galileo

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